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UIL STATE VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW: DFW Teams ready to take state

Shana Willeford

Nov 17, 2022

After a long season of working hard for this moment, the stage is set and the tickets are punched! Teams, athletes, and fans from around the state are gathering in Garland this week with the intent of cheering their friends, family members, or teammates on during a quest for a state title! Five Dallas-Fort Worth area teams remain in Texas High School Volleyball Playoffs and get the opportunity to fight for a state title. VYPE DFW takes a look into the programs and what fans can expect:

4A UIL State Volleyball Semifinals - November 17, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
The Lady Chaparrals enter the state tournament for the third time (2003, '09, '22) after posting an incredible season so far. After posting playoff wins against Hampton Prep, Alvarado, Frisco Panther Creek, Canton, and Celina, the team has an 81% winning percentage and looks to continue adding wins to their record through the state tournament.
Led by the likes of Sydney Garrison, Annalise Sevier, Kynadi Hall, Makayla Johnson, Olivia Starr, and more, Aubrey is looking to secure their first state title. Garrison- a Tarleton State signee- has recorded 744 kills this season (averaging nearly 6 per set) while Sevier has tallied 475 kills- leading the team in blocks with 101. Hall is just behind with 301 kills and 94 blocks on the season. Johnson leads the team in digs (recording 702) and aces (55) while Starr has notched 1,348 assists, 353 digs, and 54 aces.
This season, Aubrey has outscored their opponents in sets by 69 total sets. Coming into the state tournament on a six game win streak, the team looks to shut down Bellville (39-10) who has quite a few talented athletes themselves. Fans can expect Aubrey to enter the state semifinals with the same fire we have seen from the Lady Chaparrals all season.
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5A UIL State Volleyball Semifinals - November 18, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
The Frisco Reedy Lady Lions are on a five game win streak as they head into the UIL State Volleyball Tournament. Trouncing over playoff opponents like Frisco Independence, Dallas Wilson, Frisco Lone Star, McKinney North, and Frisco Wakeland, the Lady Lions are poised and ready to enter Friday's semifinal match.
Led by athletes like Halle Schroder (who has over 200 more kills than anyone else on the team), Gracie Cagle, Reese MillerTaylor Fogliani, and more, the team has been a force to be reckoned with on the court. Reedy has outscored their opponents by over 40 sets while posting a 68% winning percentage. Schroder has recorded 481 kills while Fogliani has tallied 81 blocks.
With timely defense, fans can expect to see Frisco Reedy do whatever it takes to play hard and fast against a tough Liberty Hill (42-10) squad. Battle tested, coming off a victory over the previous No. 1 ranked team in the state last week (Frisco Wakeland), fans can expect to see the Lady Lions step onto the court ready for anything.
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5A UIL State Volleyball Semifinals - November 18, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.
Making their first tournament appearance, Colleyville Heritage has worked hard to get to this point. The ladies have put in the effort and are now benefiting from the results. With an 85% winning percentage and a 21 game win streak, the Lady Panthers have never been more prepared for this moment than they are now. With playoff victories over Midlothian Heritage, Saginaw, Argyle, Lubbock Cooper, and Birdville coupled with big-time non-district victories over current state semifinalist Frisco Reedy (5A) and Keller (6A).
Led by Ella Busey, Sulid Davis, Morgan Howard, Reagan Engler, and more, the Lady Panthers have posted one of their best seasons. Busey- a Houston signee- posted 298 kills during the regular season while Davis led the team with 408 kills through 99 sets. The Lady Panthers have continued to play smart defense while allowing their offense opportunities to run away with sets and eventually matches.
Fans can expect the Lady Panthers to play hard against Montgomery Lake Creek (32-16). Lake Creek has a lot of strong athletes, but with the experience, poise, determination, and desire to win the Lady Panthers are ready to focus on shutting down Lake Creek's advances.
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6A UIL State Volleyball Semifinals - November 18, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
After finishing as the state runner-up last season, Keller is making their second tournament appearance in program history this season. Seven athletes on the squad saw this stage just last year and they are ready to do whatever it takes to leave Garland with a state title to their name. So far in playoffs, the Lady Indians ended the seasons of Fort Worth Chisholm Trail, El Paso Eastwood, Southlake Carroll, Denton Guyer, and Prosper. On a 16 game win streak, Keller has high hopes headed into the state semifinals.
Led by Taylor Polivka, Kea Whillock, Reagan Sharp, Leah Ford, and more, Keller is no stranger to playing strong against tough opponents over the last few seasons. Polivka has recorded 1,256 assists while Whillock has tallied 727 digs. Sharp boasts 547 kills and Ford- a USC signee- has averaged 10 kills and five blocks per match in the playoffs.
As the team heads into the semifinals against Katy Tompkins (41-4), fans can expect to see not only a seasoned team, but athletes who mesh well together. Keller is very communicative and quick on their feet throughout a match. Expect to see a cohesiveness and camaraderie on the court that is unmatched.
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3A UIL State Volleyball Finals - November 19, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
In their third-straight tournament appearance, Gunter was able to shut down Columbus (45-4) with a 3-0 victory in the state semifinals. Gunter is more focused than ever to enter Saturday's state final match against Bushland (40-4) after losing in the state title game last season to the very same team. So far, the Lady Tigers have used playoff victories to power them through round after round as they defeated the likes of Prairiland, Ponder, Edgewood, Tatum, Emory Rains, and Columbus in order to advance to the 3A State Finals.
Led by athletes like Briley Singleton, Chloe Johnson, Elle Whitteker, and more, the Lady Tigers have posted a 20 game win streak while winning 88% of their matches. The team went undefeated in district play and posted over 30 shut-out victories since the start of the season.
Geared up and ready for their revenge, Gunter's defense knows what they're looking for against Bushland. Fans can expect Gunter to use every opportunity on the court to make sure that they leave Garland with their heads held high on Saturday.
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